Page 321 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - USA

THE GULF C O AST  319

residence overlooking
Sarasota Bay. Ringling had a
particular love for Italy, and
his fine collection of Italian
Baroque paintings are the
cornerstone of his collection.
The highlight of the Museum
of Art is the Rubens Gallery.
Also noteworthy is the Historic
Asolo Theater, which serves
as the perfor mance venue of
the museum.
South Lido Park Beach on Lido Key, one of Sarasota’s off-shore islands Sarasota has an attractive
waterfront setting, and num-
Environs h Sarasota erous artists and writers
The Gulf Coast’s much- * 53,000. k @ 575 N Washington have settled here. The restored
advertised “361 days of sunshine Blvd, (941) 955-5735; Amtrak bus, (800) storefronts in the downtown
a year,” lures tourists from all 872-7245. n 655 N Tamiami Trail, area around Palm Avenue and
over the world to the beaches (941) 957-1877. _ Circus Festival Main Street house antiques
between St. Petersburg and (Jan). ∑ visitsarasota.org shops, bars, and restaurants.
Clearwater. Known as the The nearby barrier islands –
Holiday Isles or the Suncoast, One of Florida’s cultural centers, Longboat Key, Lido Key, and
the strip encompasses 28 miles Sarasota’s affluence is often Siesta Key – have great
(45 km) of barrier island beaches. credited to the millionaire circus beaches and excellent tourist
St. Pete Beach is the busiest, with owner, John Ringling, who accommodations. South Lido
excellent water sports facilities; invested much of his fortune, Park Beach on Lido Key has
the Fort de Soto Park beaches estimated at $200 million, in a lovely woodland trail. The
have been ranked among the the area. His legacy is best broad Siesta Key Beach is
top 10 in the US. Florida’s seen at his house and in his always lively, while Turtle
famous sea cows, or manatees, splendid collection of European Beach is quieter and has the
found all along in the coastal art, Sarasota’s biggest attraction. only campsite on these Keys.
waters, are gentle herbivorous The Ringling Museum Complex Longboat Key is well known
giants that grow to a length of comprises the Museum of Art, for its golf courses. Most of
10 ft (3 m). Once plentiful, today a colorful Circus Museum, and the beaches offer excellent
only about 2,500 survive. the Ca’ d’Zan – Ringling’s winter water sports facilities.
Ringling Museum Complex: Ca’ d’Zan
The court, with its marble floors and onyx
The Ca’ d’Zan (House of John), modeled after a Venetian palace columns, was the living room and the focal
with Renaissance and Baroque features, is set off by a 200-ft (60-m) point of the house.
marble terrace. Its opulence epitomizes the life of the American
super-rich of the early 20th century. The tower was lit up when
the Ringlings were at home.

Ballroom
The ball-
room has
a splendid
ceiling
painting,
Dancers
of the
Nations.

The Breakfast
Room was used
mainly for informal
family occasions.
Terracotta Decoration The Venetian blinds
are original.
The exterior boasts superb
terracotta work.

318-319_EW_USA.indd 319 11/2/16 2:45 PM